IT CAME! IT CAME! IT FINALLY CAME!

February 17, 2015

The night before I had checked the status of my mission papers and it said nothing about being submitted. My heart sank a little realizing that I would have to wait at least another week for my call to come. For the past two weeks I had been bothering the BYU-I office lobby workers every single day. "Did it come yet??" "No Natalie, we'll deliver it to you personally when it does. Remember?" 

So when my call came the very next day, it totally took me by surprise. At first I was in shock but once it finally set in that my call was finally here, I literally could not hold still. I was smiling, jumping, laughing, the whole shebang (see pictures- they're candid). There was no way I was going to wait any longer to find out where I was going. I opened my call that night in my cramped Idaho apartment with my family and friends from California watching live via Youtube (you can go back and watch it anytime at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0JPc5LFADs. )

"Dear Sister Wilson:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Bolivia Cochabamba Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. 

You should report to the Peru Missionary Training Center on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president.

...

Sincerely, 

Thomas S. Monson

President"

It felt like a dream. I knew without a doubt that serving a mission is what I am meant to do. And when I read the words Bolivia Cochabamba, I knew it is where I was meant to go. I felt a warm burning in my heart and my hands tingled. It was the best feeling ever to know where I would be serving. I do not know the people of Bolivia yet, but I know that there are people there that are waiting specifically for ME to come and preach this Gospel to them. I can feel a strong connection to them. It's a miracle that I am able to love people I do not know, but it's just a testimony to me that this isn't anyone's work but the Lord's. 

I am so humbled that the Lord is trusting me to serve, love, and teach His people in Bolivia. He is putting His trust in me, and I will do my very best not to let him down. I know that this Church is true; there is no doubt in my mind. I know Heavenly Father lives and that He is aware of each and every one of us in our lives. I am grateful to know that He has a plan for each of us. Right now, at this point in my life, a part that plan He has for me is to serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so grateful for missionary work and the opportunity to serve a mission. I am grateful for the opportunity to be an instrument in the Lord's hands to go out and find those that are ready to hear His word. Missionary work truly blesses lives, and it has already begun to bless mine. This Gospel is a part of who I am. Through it I have become a better person. I have become more Christlike, loving, patient, and understanding of why I am here on this earth. I am grateful for the knowledge that I have and I cannot wait to help others receive their own testimonies that this Church is true, and that God lives. 

This is what pure joy looks like. :)

My brother and I ft. the poster my wonderful roommate, Kristy, made. 

June 2 needs to come sooner!